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Wednesday, February 1, 2012

A Few Musings When I Should Be Working!

A post after another long day. A few good pieces to look at on the net. A marvellous article by Cardinal-designate Dolan on Obama's attack on the freedom of conscience, published in the Wall Street Journal. He makes a very good point about the selective nature of the present administration in the US when it comes to religious liberty:

"The Catholic Church defends religious liberty, including freedom of conscience, for everyone. The Amish do not carry health insurance. The government respects their principles. Christian Scientists want to heal by prayer alone, and the new health-care reform law respects that. Quakers and others object to killing even in wartime, and the government respects that principle for conscientious objectors. By its decision, the Obama administration has failed to show the same respect for the consciences of Catholics and others who object to treating pregnancy as a disease."

As someone once said to me: "They will respect every other religion except the Catholics, to be anti-Catholic is still part of being respectable in the US". As Philip Jenkins once called it: anti-Catholicism is the last acceptable prejudice. Too true. I see that the White House is in denial: typical.

Talking with some people here, I asked if Obama would lose the election: they think not. People here, they say, care little for his foreign policy and the issues such as abortion and freedom of religion and conscience are just too conceptual for many: the economy and people's personal situations tend to decide whether a candidate is elected or not. The economy is improving little by little, if it gets better before November Obama will get the credit.

The lack of a good opponent will also ensure Obama's re-election, they say. None of the Republicans seem promising, and many Americans do not trust them when it comes to economics and jobs. The elderly are fearful that the Republicans will tamper with their healthcare - Obama's plan insures they will have cover - so they will vote for him to protect themselves. While no Republican has come out and said they will not touch the elderly's cover, none of them have reassured the elderly either.

What about the Catholic votes? I asked. The Church has been too close to the Democratic Party for too long, many will vote Obama because of that connection. Many Catholics cherish the unions, Obama and the Democrats have supported the unions, the GOP has a tense relationship with them. Many Catholics have no problem with Obama's HHS bill - they contracept, they abort, they sterilise: their consciences are fine with that - the bishops will be unable to rally them in a fight for religious freedom.

What about the Afro-American community. Despite their support for Obama, they are worse off now than they were before he was elected. Many of them are torn, I'm told: some will vote for him because he is black, but those who have lost faith in him will not turn out to vote at all.

Many Americans will not vote for Obama, but they will not vote for a Republican either. I asked these people to predict: they couldn't: it's too close to call - just don't presume Obama will lose.

Other news. According to newspaper reports, the new Nuncio has arrived in Ireland. God bless him in his mission to the Church in Ireland. I got some texts today which tell me that a Papal visit to Ireland may again be on the cards.

And some good news; the Causes of five Catholics have been opened and are being filed with the Congregation of the Causes of Saints. The new Servants of God are:

Fr Pedro Arrupe (1909-1991) former Superior General of the Jesuits [biography].

Benigna Cardoso da Silva (1928-1941) a Brazilian child who was murdered as she tried to defend her chastity - she is being proposed as a martyr.

Sr Mary Rosina Gladman (1922-1964), a professed sister of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart - she was beheaded while working as a teaching sister in Papua New Guinea, perhaps a martyr also [article].

Maria Elizabeth de Oliveira (1951-1965), a Brazilian child renowned for her holiness.

And Maria Rachele Ventre (1939-1995), a lay woman from Bologna in Italy. She was a musician and singer, renowned for her work among young people [biography, her foundation].

Back to work - more prep for tomorrow's shoot. We are also on Fr Mitch Pacwa's live show tomorrow night (Wednesday) - say a prayer that all will go well. Thanks.

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Novena to the Holy Family for the Cause of Marriage and Family Life in Ireland

Jesus, Mary and Joseph,

Holy Family of Nazareth,

we bless and venerate you.

We commend to your care and protection

the cause of marriage and family life.

May the peace which reigned in your home

take possession of all hearts and abide in all families.

Confirm all men and women in the truth

so we may recognise what is good and right

and reject all that hinders life

and the true flourishing of humanity.

Guide the hearts of all citizens

that we may witness to the truth

in forming the laws governing our society.

Bless those who work for the protection

of marriage, family and life.

O Jesus, Mary and Joseph,

Holy Family of Nazareth,

We entrust our hearts and our lives to you.

Amen

Novena To Blessed Paul VI For A Miracle For An Unborn Baby Boy

Heavenly Father,

We thank you for the witness of your Servant, Blessed Paul VI, who served you and the Church as Universal Pastor in difficult times.

As a pilgrim among pilgrims he sought to reveal the beauty and joy of the Gospel to the men and women of his time, choosing the way of gentleness and forbearance.

As Shepherd of the flock he sought to proclaim the truth in a time of great confusion in imitation of his patron the Apostle to the Gentiles.

As Servant he proclaimed the Gospel of Life and in doing so bore the cross of suffering and isolation in union with your Crucified Son becoming a Prophet in the midst of the growing culture of death.

As we beseech you to raise your Servant to be numbered among the Saints, may his example of faith, courage and patient endurance inspire us in our daily living of the Gospel and in our witness to Jesus Christ.

May we too be Prophets of life, respecting, protecting and cherishing the gift of life, most especially in its most vulnerable moments.

May we too be your missionaries at this time, seeking to transform the hearts of all men and women through the joy we find in Christ.

Hear our prayers, most Merciful Father, and grant us through the intercession of Blessed Paul the graces we now ask that you may grant a healing of baby Paul.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.

Blessed Paul VI, pray for him

Prayer For Christians In The Middle East

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour of the world, look upon our brothers and sisters in the Middle East, who proclaim your Name and live your Gospel in the midst of persecution, strive and martyrdom. Save them, we pray, protect them, and hear our prayer that peace may come to the Land you graced with your presence.

Pro-Life Novena to St Gianna

Saint Gianna,
Wife, Mother, Doctor and exemplary Christian,
intercede with Christ, our Lord of Life
to help us in these times to proclaim the Gospel of Life;
to bring to an end the evil of abortion
and the conversion of those who promote it;
to help and console those women tempted to do it,
and to heal those who have had one.
Watch over Ireland in these critical days.
Amen.

Three Hail Marys.

About Me

Fr John Hogan, OCDS, a Secular Discalced Carmelite priest serving in the Diocese of Meath, Ireland, is the founder and current Father Director of the Fraternity of St Genesius, an international association of prayer for those in the arts and media. He co-hosts the television series "Forgotten Heritage" on the Eternal Word Television Network.

St Genesius

Fraternity of St Genesius

Become a Missionary From Your Own Home

Assist the Church in her mission of evangelisation to those in the cinema and the arts. As a member of the Fraternity of St Genesius, you can be a missionary through your prayer, uniting yourself with men and women all over the world. In this International Family of Prayer, you can have a part in the New Evangelisation. For more information go to http://www.stgenesius.com/.